My Soul in Grandpa's Hands

Decisions

"Aleta, there's only one problem." asked Ferdinand slowly.

Aleta shook her head, then again stared blankly at the vast ocean. Currently they just sit on the sand of Sadranan beach while bending their knees. Occasionally the waves hit his feet, but they still did not move.

"Share your burdens with your brother, that you may feel light."

"Sister Ferdi, is it okay for this once Aleta to borrow the shoulder of her brother," asked Aleta.

Ferdinand simply nodded silently, as he also did not know what Aleta meant. Upon seeing Ferdinand nod his head, Aleta leaned her head on Ferdinand's shoulders. Aleta's gaze remained blankly forward, and there was unwittingly a speck of clear water in the corner of her eye.

Ferdinand gently wiped Aleta's tears with his finger. Suddenly Ferdinand stood up and held onto Aleta's shoulder, then took her away. Ferdinand held Aleta's hand and took her up to a small hill on Sadranan beach. After reaching the top, Ferdinand took Aleta and brought her to the edge of the cliff that directly faced the vast ocean.

"Yuk yell out loud."

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa," Ferdinand exemplifies Aleta.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa," cried Aleta.

"Repeat Aleta, until the tightness in your chest is gone." exclaimed Ferdinand.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa,,"

After many times Aleta shouted, suddenly Aleta ran to hug Ferdinand tightly then cried in her chest. Ferdinand was slightly stunned by the impulsive actions Aleta had taken, but then he returned his tight embrace while patting Aleta's back patiently.

Ten minutes passed Aleta got comfort in Ferdinand's arms, and unexpectedly before softly Ferdinand gave a kiss on Aleta's forehead. Ferdinand himself was immediately shocked by his own actions, but Aleta remained only speechless like numbness.

Ferdinand loosened his embrace, then held Aleta's chin and turned up.

"Aleta, the sun is above us, we take shelter" Ferdinand asked.

Aleta nodded and followed Ferdinand. Ferdinand lovingly took Aleta in his arms, and they ended up sitting in the gazebo on the shore.

"I'll stay a while" said Ferdinand.

"Yes" Aleta answered briefly.

Ferdinand left Aleta for a while and returned with two young coconuts. After putting on the straw, Ferdinand gave one to Aleta.

"Summer let your heart calm down,"

Aleta sucked up the coconut water, and a fresh taste flowed down her throat.

"Sister Ferdi, today I want to feel the courtship like other girls. Please treat me today like a sister's boyfriend huh. Just today." said Aleta lirih.

"Aleta.., let alone today dear. All my life I want to make you my partner." Ferdinand replied.

"Today alone, brother," Aleta asked expectantly.

Ferdinand was to Aleta's will, even though he wanted to remain alone with Aleta for the rest of his life. Until midday the two of them sat in the gazebo leaning against each other's shoulders.

At times Ferdinand's hands gently stroked Aleta's hair and gave a gentle peck on her forehead. Aleta enjoyed a strange sense of vibration with her heart beating faster every time Ferdinand gently touched her hair and kissed her forehead.

"Aleta, we go home yuk. Even though you don't want to tell a story, hopefully today can help ease your grief a little."

"Yes, thank you for everything, brother."

Ferdinand took Aleta to the car. In the car, Aleta spoiledly rested her head on Ferdinand's shoulders.

"Aleta. If Aleta is leaning on your shoulder, you can't drive well" Ferdinand said.

"Sorry, brother, if Aleta today asked for much from Brother Ferdi." suddenly Aleta gave a brief kiss on Ferdinand's lips.

Like being hit by electricity, Ferdinand's lips opened in disbelief with the incident just now. Ferdinand stopped his car on the side of the road, then took a breath and threw it back. With dim eyes, Ferdinand turned towards Aleta then held onto her shoulder. Ferdinand patiently held onto Aleta's chin and gently smeared*the tiny lips in front of her. After Aleta was out of breath, Ferdinand stopped his actions and returned to his car.

They were silent throughout the journey with their own thoughts. Ferdinand's heart was filled with a sense of happiness, he was finally able to get his heart adored. While Aleta also felt the satisfaction of being able to enjoy the strange vibrations of courtship.

"Goodbye, Brother Ferdi," Aleta said.

At one o'clock in the afternoon they finally arrived at the orphanage safely. After they got out of the car, Ferdinand went into the house to meet Miss Rosna.

"Son Ferdi, it's up to son. Aleta's mana," asked Bu Rosna kindly.

"Bu Rosna, today Ferdi saw Aleta like not the usual Aleta. I wonder if you know why." asked Ferdinand.

Ms. Rosna was silent, just looking at the hot courtyard of the house.

"Kok even Miss Rosna follow me" Ferdinand's mind.

*****

Aleta carried a tray filled with drinking water and a snack jar forward.

"Work drink first, brother, must be thirsty because the journey is far."

"Yes nak Ayuk drink the tea, but it's still hot" said Ms. Rosna.

"There are three glasses of tea, meaning that the mother can also ration,"

"Yes ma'am, Aleta made me too."

"Where was the game, happy. It's called less picnic, because once home from the beach Aleta's face becomes sumringah."

"Yes, Ma'am, thank God. Aleta was refreshed, "he replied with a bow.

Ferdinand simply smiled without answering. In his heart he felt happy, because he already felt that Aleta would be his. But in the other corner of the heart, there was undeniably something strange that stuck up his heart.

"It's getting late, Aleta rest first huh. Brother also wants to go home first." said Ferdinand.

"Yes, be careful on the road."

"Yes, thanks Aleta for today. Mother, Ferdinand went home first." said he while kissing Ms. Rosna's hand.

"Yes, be careful."

"Assynolt,"

"Wa Alaikum salam."

Miss Rosna and Aleta waited on the porch until Ferdinand's car came out of the yard.

"Mother.., Aleta wants to talk to mom."

"About what son," asked Ms. Rosna tenderly lovingly.

Ms. Rosna then took Aleta in the middle room chair.

"Speak son, I'll listen."

"Mothers... Aleta has decided. Aleta agrees to marry Cokro's grandfather's granddaughter."

"Is Aleta really considering it, son."

"God's Inshaa is already Bu, the degree of harmharat and its maslahat has also been considered Aleta. Aleta is ready to be married as soon as possible Mom, after all marriage is the same now, the result is the same."

BU Rosna tried to observe Aleta's face more closely, but still could not find any cues.

"Did Aleta not want to know your future husband first."

"Aleta strongly believes in the mother's choice that is unlikely to plunge Aleta. Grandpa Cokro is also very good to Aleta, so Aleta is sure grandfather will protect Aleta from anything."

Ms. Rosna embraced Aleta with a feeling of worth, and always prayed that the choices made would make all happy.

"Well son, I'll tell Grandpa Cokro soon."

"Good Mom, Aleta followed what the mother would arrange. Because Aleta was sure everything was for Aleta's own good."

"Aleta rest in the room first ma'am."

"Yes, just rest."

******